BEA'S BOOK NOOK
"I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." C. S. Lewis
“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” ― Oscar Wilde

Sunday, September 25, 2016

BANNED BOOKS WEEK GIVEAWAY - WIN AN AMAZON GIFT CARD

It's that time again, when the American Library Association and other national organizaitons focus on books that have been banned or challenged in the US. The challenges may occur at a store, a library or a school. Sometimes a book will be 'allowed' but only hidden behind a counter. Now, books can be revolutionary, it's true. Reading does broaden the mind and offer new perspectives. Books can teach you, inspire dreams, and give hope. But to hide them? To deny other people the chance to read it simply because you don't like it or you disagree with it? Why? Why should your tastes determine what I read, what I learn? Why should your beliefs take precedence over mine? Don't like it? Don't read it. Don't want your child to read it? Why? Have YOU taken the time to read it? Why not read it with your child? Be there to discuss the book and offer your thoughts on it. Maybe there's a book on a similar theme that you prefer; offer that to your child in conjunction with the other book.

Censorship is slippery. There are books that I passionately disagree with and would rather not see for sale or available to read but where do we draw the line? Whose taste and judgement take precedence? Think for yourself, make an informed judgement, and let others do the same.

For more information about banned books and banned books week, check out this site and this site. To see lists of books that have been challenged or banned, go here.

I'm giving away a $10 Amazon gift card so you can purchase your own challenged or banned book. Open to anyone who can receive and use an Amazon gift card. No purchase necessary. VOID where prohibited. Giveaway ends October 1st, 2016 and is open to all who can legally enter.

97 comments:

I'm not sure which I would get, maybe The House of Night since I've had my eyes on those for a while. I didn't realize just how many YA books were banned/ challenged til I clicked over and scrolled the list...

Honestly no idea what I would get, there's so many! I don't get censorship, it's like the easiest way to admit that you're not right about something. If you had confidence that your view was correct, then wouldn't you have confidence that it would win out on its own, without other ideas being hidden? I do, however, understand restricting books based on appropriateness for age at schools. That's it though.

Now see, I have trouble with restricting books due to age appropriateness. No two children mature at the same rate or have the same life experiences. What's tame for one 8 ear old might give another nightmares. So, instead of preventing children from reading them, instead why not be aware of what they are reading, be available, and discuss it with them?

I agree with you that children are individuals, and can handle books at different levels. But you wouldn't advocate for putting, say, Fifty Shades of Grey in an elementary school library, or on the shelves at your preschool, would you? I think that while there's certainly plenty of individual variation in what kids are ready for at various ages, there are a few broad generalizations one can make when it comes to young children and decidedly adult content. But those are the easy decisions. It gets trickier when you're talking about YA books in a middle-school library. And it's far more difficult to make those determinations for a high school library, because at that point, the individual variation in maturity/readiness can encompass anything from MG books to very adult themes. Therefore, I can see making "age-appropriateness" a consideration for elementary-school libraries and to a lesser extent middle-school libraries, but probably not for high-school libraries.

Of course, the issues of shelf space and of matching books to the reading level and interests of the majority of your patrons also tend to limit the selection in a school library at whatever level. And that cuts both directions. You're not going to find many picture books in most college libraries, for instance, unless they maintain a collection of them for a specific reason.

All that said, in general I oppose the banning of books, and certainly at the high school level and above.

There are so many book on my goodreads to read list that I'm not sure which I would get. Knowing myself I wouldn't even pick something on that list and just find something new :) I can not get make progress on my list haha

I really think I want to get A Hero Ain't Nothing but a Sandwich for my daughter. I despise censorship of books. Ignorance is a huge issue - just as you mentioned, if people would take the time to educate themselves about the issues, the fear would lessen. Many books would never be an issue in the first place. People should always think for themselves; remember children think too. Share thoughts together. Read together. Respect opinions. If children can't go to their parents for open discussion and honest answers, they'll look elsewhere.

Actually I wouldn't buy a book. I'm saving up all my Amazon bucks to buy a new tablet to replace my old and very slow one. I'm saving for a top end Kindle Fire tablet. Fire HD 10 Tablet, 10.1" HD Display, Wi-Fi, 64 GB, Silver Aluminum. Without the "special offers" it's a bit over $300.00.

I somehow accidentally made my comment a "contact us" email. Oops. Anyway. I would use the gift card on probably not a banned book. I do have a lot of vegan and gluten free cookbooks on my Amazon wishlist and I would probably buy one of those to help with my lifestyle. I certainly can't imagine having books banned from me. It has to be terrible.

Health Note

I've got a shoulder injury, the exact nature of which my doctor is still determining. But it's affecting my ability to type. So posts will be delayed, and comments on other blogs, as well as my own, are on hiatus until typing is less painful or not painful at all.

I'M PART OF

NetGalley

I'm A Host With

Social Blogger

Free, honest cover critiques

The Fine Print

Statements and opinions expressed in reviews, discussions, and other posts on this blog are those of the reviewers here at Bea's Book Nook, unless otherwise indicated. Authors, publishers, and tour companies may send us digital or print ARCs or finished copies in exchange for our honest reviews; reviews will declare the source. Purchases made through buy links help to support this blog.